Velocipede



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

v (No Model.)

B. G. LATTA VELOUIPEDBA Patented Jan. 15, 1889 1 363.1.

'UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

EMMIT G. LATTA, OF FRIENDSHIP, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE POPE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,164, dated January 15, 1889.

Application filed January 20, 1888. Serial No. 261,861. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMMIT G. LATTA, of Friendship, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of this invention are to construct a light and rigid wheel, and to provide a simple and efficient journal-bearing which can be readily adjusted for wear; also to improve the construction of the forks, so that the journal-bearings can be attached to the same in an inexpensive manner without the employment of brazed joints, and so that all the parts may be detached, if necessary, for making repairs.

The invention consists to these ends of the improvements which will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the central part of my improved velocipedewheel and connecting parts. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of one of the journal-bearings and connecting parts. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the adjustable collars forming part of the journal-bearing, the collars being detached from each other. Fig. f is an interior t'ace iew of one of saidadjusting-collars. Fig. 5 is an elevation of one end of the axle and connecting parts. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section in line 11:11:, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 isa horizontal section in line 1 y, Fig. R is a vertical cross-section in line a, Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of the central part of the rear wheel ofa "elocipede provided with my improvements.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the axle of the front wheel, which is provided near opposite ends with a pyramidal or tapering fiat-sided shank, a, and B are the hub-flanges, which are each provided with an opening, I), of corresponding form which fits over the shank a. The axle Ais formed with. acontracted cylindrical extension, (1, which is provided at its outer end with a screw-thread.

B is a tubular extension formed 011 the outer side of the hub-flange and surrounding the cylindrical extension a of the axle.

C represents the crank applied to the end of the tubular extension B, and secured thereto by a screw-nut, 0, applied to the screwthreaded outer end of the cylindrical extension a.

D is a collar surrounding the tubular extension B and interposed between the outer side of the hub-flange B and the boss of the crank O. The screw-nut c forces the crank 0 against the collar D, and secures the latter firmly on the tubular extension B, and at the same time wedges the angular opening of the hub-flange upon the pyramidal shank a and rigidly secures the hub-flange to the axle. The crank is held against turning upon the tubular extension 13' by a key which has a limited play in its seat in the tubular extension 13, as represented in Fig. 2. The screwnut c is provided in its outer face with two openings or recesses for receiving a suitable pronged wrench for turning the nut.

E is the journal-box or outer case of the ball-bearing, provided on its upper side with a lug, E, whereby it is secured to the lower end of the fork-arm F.

G G represent two adjustable collars arranged within the case E, and provided in their adjacent faces with annular grooves. The collar 'D, surrounding the tubular extension 1B, forms the inner portion of the bearing, and is provided in its outer surface with an annular groove, (Z, which, together with the grooves of the collars G G, forms the cavity for the balls 71. The collars G i are respectively provided on their outer surfaces with right and left hand screw-threads g g, which engage with correspondingthreads formed in the bore of the case E.

g represents segmental ribs or projections formed on the adjacent inner edges of the collars G G, and having beveled inner faces, the ribs of one collar projecting into the spaces between the ribs of the other collar when the collars are in an operative position, so that upon turning either collar its ribs will bear against the ribs of the other collar, thereby causing both collars to move toward or from each other simultaneously. The portions 9 of the inner edges of the collars arranged between the segmental ribs are beveled to correspond to the bevel of said ribs, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5, so that when the two collars are screwed agz'iinst each other the ribs g of one collar will overlap the beveled edge g? of the other collar. The inner smooth portions of the collars are slightly reduced in diameter, so as to permit the inner edges of the collars to pass beyond the center of the bore of the case E without injuring the screwthreads of the latter. After the collars (l G have been imlependently screwed into the case E suliiciently to cause their ribs to interlock, both collars can be adjusted toward each other simultancmisly for taking up wear. The outer collar, (1 is provided with a projection, g, for turning the same, which projcction consists, preferably, of a screw seated in the outer face of the collar and having its head projecting beyond the latter.

The bearing box orcasc E is divided in the usual manner, and provided at its adjacent ends with perforated ears or lugs, through which passes a (lillll'PlHQdlOli as represented in Figs. 1 and o.

In the constructions heretofore employed one collar was held against turning by a setscrew or otherwise, and the adjustment was effected by screwing up the other collar. This arrangement is objectionalde, however, because the upper parts of the collars,which rceeive the greatest wear, are not kept together or opposite each other when adjusted, which is desirable in order to avoid the formation of an irregular path for the balls. Moreover, when the adjustment is made from one side only, as in former constructions, the fork is slightly sprung and the friction is increased, and if the wheel is very closely built the fork is liable to strike the hub after repeated adjustments. Another ol )jection to this construction is that the stationary collar frequently receives all or nearly all of the press ure exerted by the clamp of the bearing box :ncase, so that the :uljustablc collar is not securely held in position.

By my lllllll'OYLtl construction the sl'n'inging of the fork is obviated, as both collars are compelled to move together, and neither coltar can move out of position unless the other collar is loose enough to move also. A further advantage of the ctmstruction is that the 'wollars can be adjusted at any desired disance from the center of the bearing box or *ase E as may be necessary by simply screwing one collar farther into the case than the other before interlocking them. This enables he machine to be set up without deflecting he fork in case the latter happen s to be a trifle '00 wide or too narrow, which is a frequent :ause of extra friction in. bearings as hcreto- *ore usually eonstructtal. Each fork-arm F is lOllStl'ilGfGd of tubing and tapered toward its owcr end, and is secured to the lug E by a iorizontal. screw-lmlt, j, passin through openngs formed in. the fork and lug.

K is a stiffening-piece arranged in the lower end of each fork-arm, and whereby the latter 5 re-enforced. This sti'lfening- 'iiece consists of a short piece of tubing. as 1'e )resented in Figs. 2 and 7, or a strip of sheet metal, as repsented in Fig. 0. After the fork has been tapered the stiifenil'ig-picee is inserted into the same, and the lower portion of the fork is then partially flattened to give it the desired form by placing it in a suitable die and swaging or compressing the fork. The outer face of the lug E is provided with a con vex or coni cal projection, 7, and the inner face of the head of the boltj is provided with a concave or conical seat, I, as shown in Fig. 2, the lower end of the fork being bentor curved to fit between theconimil surfaces of thelug and bolt-luad. liyconstrtu-ting the fork in this 'inanner the stilfiming-pieee h is also bent in the act of shaping the fork, and is thereby lirmly secured in place. The stitlening-piece K forms an additional thickness of metal, which prevents the boltj from enlarging the hole in the end of the tubular fork.

The conical project-ion Z of the lug receives a large part of the weight applied to the forks, and thus relieves the'biiilt j, and it also increases the thickness of the lug E and forms a long and secure seat for the threaded end of said bolt, thus n'oducing a reliable connection. \Vhen a very light build is desired, and very thin tubes are used for the forkarms, orif the adjacent surfaces of the lug 'E and head of the boltj be made flat, the stifij'ening-piece K is preferably secured in the end of the tubular fork by riveting, soldering, or brazing; but in the construction illustrated in the drawings no additional. fastening is required. The lower end of the fork is recessed in the usual manner, as shown in Fig. 'l, to fit around the upper partof the case E and prevent the same from turning on the boltj as a pivot.

The fork of the rear wheel of the velocipede is constructed substantially like thatof the front wheel, the stil'lening-])ie(:e consisting of a strip of sheet metal, M, instead of a tube.

N is the hub of the rear wheel; N, the suppm'ting-bolt passing through the same; n, the cones arrangwl on the inner sides of the forkarms, and each having a serew-threaded opeie ing, through which the threaded ends of the bolt N pass, and a is the sorcuv-nut applied to the end ol the bolt N. The outer faces of the cones n are provided with conical ts or depressions, o, agaii'ist which the inner sides of the fork ends bear, and the inner face of the nut n and the head "11 of the bolt N are provided with conical or convex nojections which bear against the outer sides of theforkarms, the lower ends of the fork-arn'is being bent to fit lJet'ween these conical faces, as in the iirst-described cmistruction.

This construction. renders the forks light, durable, and comparatively cheap.

A single strip of sheet metal is sullicion t for re-enforcing the forks of the rear wheel, and is less expensive than the tubular piece shown in. the first construction.

P represents the spokes, which are arranged tangentially to the hub-flange B, each pair of spokes passing outwardly in opposite directions substantially at right angles to a radial line passing between theirinner ends. It is desirable that the spokes of a bicycle-wheel be arranged as closely as possible to the fork to insure the necessary rigidity of the wheel with the least possible distance between the annular series of perforations for receiving the inner ends of a row of spokes. The spokes attached to the internal rim, p, pass forwardly, while those of the external rim, 1), pass backwardly and intersect the spokes of the internal rim, as shown in Fig. 1. By this construction of the hub-flange both sets of spokes are located outside of the hub-flange in close proximity to the forks without any intervening parts between the forks and spokes. Each row of spokes is given a smooth flat base, upon which the spokes rest and against which they draw without the danger of being abraded or otherwise injured by rubbing against the other row of spokes, as is the case when both rows of spokes are secured to the outer side of a single flange. This construction also permits a broken spoke belonging to the inner row of spokes to be replaced without loosening any other spoke. The outer rinnp, projects beyond the inner rim, p, a distance about equal to the width of the spokes, so that the latter lie as closely together as possible. This construct-ion forms a rigid wheel which resists side strains and luickling more effectually than a wheel having a row of spokes arranged on each side of a single flange, and as there is no part of the flange between the spokes and the fork the construction permits'a very narrow build.

The spokes are preferably tied or soldered where they cross each other in the usual manner.

Hubs having double rims p p are equally desirable for wheels in which the spokes are set at less than a full tangent, so long as the spokes are desired to cross at or near the h uh.

I am aware that in my patent; No. 325,420, I showed and described a construetiol'l of the upper part of a fork and steering head, wherein a tubular fork is strengthened in certain portions by the insertion of a lining or stiffening-plate held in place by a screw, and that in my patent, No. 332,002, showed and described a method of attachment of the neck and the tubular backbone with a tulmlarlin ing,.all held together by bolts; and I do not claim either of these things, nor do I claim the strengthening of the tube by a lining or re-enforce.

Prior to my present improvements it had been usual to construct the lower ends of front forks (such as are shown at F in Fig. 5) of drop-forgings formed into shape for attachment to the bearing-case, the securing-bolt (such as j) passing through. the forging and not through the tube, and the fork ending above the bolt some distance,'being there brazed to a stub of the forging. The same construction has been employed in rear fork ends (such as are shown in Fig. 9) where the rear forks were tuhular; but this method is objectionable, because the fork ends made by it are heavy and. expensive and the forks are weakened by the brazing. and for rear or smaller forks I believe it has had to be abandoned in favor of solid or semi-tubular constructions, but at a disadvantage to the rest of the fork. Now, by my improvedconstruction I taper, flatten, curve, and shape the fork ends as required for attachment to the bearing-boxes or axle wholly by and in the forktube itself, inserting at the same time, without brazing or forging and before the forma: tion is completed, a thin leaf, as shown at M in Fig. 9, or a core, as shown at K in Fig. 2, for a strengtheiring-piece, and a thickener or re-enforce to keep the end of the tube from crushing in the operation of forming and to gain the desired width and strength of bearing on the boltj or N, for which the two thin thicknesses of the tube would otherwise be too little. The core is secured in place by the bolt j or N, and the strain of the bolt is thereby distributed along the walls of the tube ends. 3y forming the fork ends in this way I avoid both brazing and forging, both weight and weakness.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a journal-bearing, the combination, with a bearing box or case provided in its here with right and left hand screw-threzuls, of two adjustable grooved collars arranged within said bearingdiox and provided on their outer surfaces with right and left hand screwthreads, respectively, and having their inner adjacent port ions beveled and made of smaller diameter than the main screw-threaded portions of the collars, and beveled segmental ribs or projections arranged on the inner faces of said reducedportion of the collars, substantially as set forth. 1

2. The combination, with the axle havinga contracted eylilnlricz'il extension, (0, and the hub-flange 1 having a tubular extension, 13, of a crank, (3, arranged upon said tubular extension, a scre\\'-nut, (1, applied to the end of. the axle-extension a, a grooved collar or sleeve, 1), arranged between the hub-flange and the crank, grooved adjustable collars G 1, anda bearin g box or case, E, surrounding the collars G G, substantially as set forth.

3. The described improvement in the construction of a tubular fork end for attachment to a bearin g in a veloeipede, consisting in the fastening-bolt, whereby the fork end is secured extension of the tube end, the tapering, flatto said lng, and having in its head a conical tening, and forming the same with the inserseat, against which. the opposite side of the tion of a core, and the perforation of the two fork end rests, substantially as set forth.

5 parts thus conformed together for attachment 8. The eomlnnatiou, with two independent direetlv to the hearings, substantially as set rows or sets of spokes, of a hub flange or disk forth. provided with two annular rims arranged in 4'. The combination of a tubular fork-arm different vertical planes, each of said rims and a tubular fork end wrought thereon, and supporting the inner ends of one set of spokes,

o a strengthening-eore inserted and conformed substantially as set forth.

therewith,a1nl a bolt passing through the fork 9. The coml'nnation, with a hub flange or end and its core and with its nut and shouldisk provided with an internal annular rim der securing the same directly to the l'iearing and an external annular rim arranged in difparts. substantially as set forth. ferent vertical planes, of a set of spokes at- 5 The combination, with a tubular forktaehed to said internal rim and a set of spokes arni having a bent or concave-eonvex lower attached to said external rim, the spokes at- 1 end, or a stiiiening or l'P-l-fllfOl'Clllg piece artaehed to one of said rims passing outwardly ranged in the lower end of the t'Ork-arm, and from the hub in a direction substantially opsnpports having siniilarlv-shaped faces bearposite to that of the spokes attached to the 0 ing against opposite sides of the fork-arm, other rim, substantially as set forth.

substantially as set forth. 10. The combination, with the axle, of two Ii. The eoinbination, with a tubular forkhuh-flanges, each provided with two marginal arni having a bent or concave-convex lower rims arranged in different vertical planes, and end and a stiffening or i-e-eni'oreing piece areach provided with two sets of spokes ar- 5 ranged therein, of the bearing box or case ranged against the outer sides of said rims,

having a lug prm'ii'led with a conical projeewhereby the spokes of one set draw over the tion, and a fastening-bolt passing through the 1 spokes of the other set, and both sets draw fork end and said lug, sul'istantially as set over the ont-ersidesof said rims, substantially forth. as set forth.

0 7. The combination, with a tubular fork- \Vitness my hand thisli'ith dayof January, arni having a bent or emieavo-eonvex lower 1888.

end and a stilfening-piece inserted in said EMMIT G.--LAT'1A. lower end, of the bearing box or case having \Vitnesses:

a lng provided with a conical projection bear- FRED H. RICE,

5 ing against one side of the fork end, and a CHAS. J. RICE. 

